The Importance of Student-Centered Innovation in Educational Technology
The release of new products in the field of educational technology and the preparation of materials such as instructional videos by educators for their classes are bringing a wave of student-focused innovation. However, an important part of this process, the impact of students on these products, is often overlooked.
Educational technology consultant Elliott Hedman emphasized that student feedback is not sufficiently incorporated during the design phase of educational technology products. Unlike media and consumer technologies, standards for educational products are kept lower. Hedman pointed out that instructional materials prepared for children cannot compare in budget and quality to content designed for adults. He has witnessed situations where, due to a lack of testing student experiences, children quickly abandon educational programs in favor of other engaging content. This situation reveals that the testing processes of companies producing educational technologies are often inadequate or cater to a narrow audience. According to Hedman, companies need to conduct more comprehensive tests with students, but this is often neglected.
At the same time, it is indicated that teachers and educators should take more active roles in the design process of educational materials. Dr. Kayla B. McNabb from Virginia Tech University highlights that improving the user experience of learning materials directly contributes to student success. She notes that student feedback can create significant differences with simple adjustments, enhancing the effectiveness of educational technologies.
The integration of new technologies like artificial intelligence into education further emphasizes the importance of product testing. Hedman argues that children might use these tools differently than expected, making it crucial for the student perspective to play a central role in the product development process. These calls make it imperative to take critical steps to ensure that educational technology products are not only effective but also user-friendly and desired by students. Experts and educators in the field, while designing teaching materials, focus on incorporating basic skills and ways of thinking from their disciplines into the materials, putting student feedback and participation at the heart of the process. As a result, this innovative and student-centered approach paves the way for future generations to experience more effective and meaningful learning through the advancement of educational technologies.